Karachi — Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has received the 2026 APEX Award for Best Cabin Service in the Middle East, reinforcing its efforts to deliver a premium travel experience across its international network, including Pakistan.
The award was presented during the APEX Awards ceremony in Dublin, Ireland, held alongside the Future Travel Experience (FTE) EMEA event, a major aviation industry platform focused on innovation and enhancing passenger journeys.
The recognition carries particular significance for Pakistan, one of Saudia’s key international markets, where demand continues to grow for religious, business and leisure travel between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
APEX’s airline ratings programme is based on verified passenger feedback and places traveller experience at the centre of the evaluation process. For the 2026 awards cycle, more than one million flights across over 600 airlines worldwide were assessed.
Passengers evaluated airlines across several categories, including cabin service, seat comfort, food and beverage quality, inflight entertainment systems and Wi-Fi connectivity.
Rossen Dimitrov, Chief Guest Experience Officer at Saudia, said the award reflects the dedication of the airline’s cabin crew and its commitment to delivering a consistent service culture across the network.
He said the recognition also supports Saudia’s wider ambition to bring authentic Saudi hospitality to passengers through a thoughtful and reliable onboard experience.
Wind Power: FPCCI raises concern over curtailment and grid failures
The award follows Saudia’s broader transformation strategy focused on improving guest experience. The airline continues to expand its New Saudia Experience programme and roll out Saudia BEYOND, an initiative designed to strengthen hospitality standards and service consistency among frontline teams.
Saudia said these efforts aim to improve every stage of the passenger journey while maintaining service excellence rooted in Saudi hospitality.
The latest recognition adds to the airline’s portfolio of international awards and supports its long-term strategy to strengthen its position among leading global carriers.
The carrier added that continued investment in guest experience, operational quality and national talent development aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s wider aviation and tourism objectives.
For travellers in Pakistan, the recognition further underscores Saudia’s commitment to maintaining high service standards across routes connecting both countries.
